Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Todd Packer]

Lol... Jake LaMotta... Would probably still shine in the current side and he's been dead how many years?!

Maybe even Robert deNiro (Raging Bull)...?

LaMotta . Alamoti......same same

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Samuela looks like another of those that dominated kids with his size. He will get found out playing against the men

I didn’t see that at all.. I saw a captain trying to lead his Junior rep team by example .. by running hard and not taking a backward step . A guy that played in the halves for a lot of his life and that put some of the skill he has away in order to play the role his team requires .. SMDH 😳

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Bring Alan back 🔥

I was thinking the same. Or does he despise the club like so many other ex-players? Did the club sack him when he was charged with DV?

 

[TurnStyle]

LaMotta . Alamoti......same same

I knew. Wasn't having a go - just a laugh. 😊

 

[tigerballs]

I agree that's fundamentally what it is. I would love to see the latest Left vs Centre vs Right tries conceded stats, because I don't think we've let in many tries up the guts (1 ordinary one last night).

Competing in the middle and making metres down the middle are not our major concern, in fact I think we are on a very good trajectory to compete with most forward packs in the comp with a rotation of Stefano-Api-Klemmer-IP-Bateman-Pole-Blore-Twal... Seyfarth does a job, but I'd want one more decent prop to sub in (that being said, two weeks in a row the injection of Blore and Twal turned our energy around into half-time).

But as soon as the opposition shifts and we get caught out - we won't win another match until that gets fixed. You can't just have the Knights halves running sideways to get the ball out to Ponga, then we panic and the winger scores in the corner. The Knights are not a great side, but they obviously practised their shift play and knew to use it at every possible opportunity, including going back to that play more than once per set, if it didn't work out the first time.

And after leaking several tries down our RHS, Knights shift to our left and I have this thought "oh maybe the LHS will cover this" and nope, they are as brittle as the other edge. The halves cannot defend, the centres and wing both make bad decisions and turn like ocean liners. Watching Dom Young sprint down a sideline and Talau and Tupou look like sloths in comparision - embarrassing.

Also our halves absolutely unable to put anything together in attack, to mount pressure on the opposition. Knights didn't even bother for short kick-offs, they "backed their defence" as the commentators said. Well not really, they simply bet against our impotent attack.

Knights were just waiting for the opportunity to defuse our rubbish kicks and then shift wide as soon as possible. Never in any real doubt.

Take a look at our attack. There's absolutely no structure at all. We never construct those wide sweeping plays from a short blind and we never even attempt a set play from a scrum or tap situation. If we're not practicing structured attack then we're not practicing defending against it in opposed sessions. I was all for giving this coaching setup a decent go but we're not progressing, either offensively or defensively.

 

[Kaito]

Samuela looks like another of those that dominated kids with his size. He will get found out playing against the men

Mate, he'll fill out in due time. Got to love how
he goes about his biz though. Very eager!

 

[vlad]

https://www.zerotackle.com/club-closes-in-on-signing-sharks-back-for-remainder-of-season-159721/amp/

Castleford 2nd last in the ESL getting Kayal Iro from the Sharks ?

Surely worth looking at here

 

[Harvey]

Seriously is Sezer any better than Adam Clune? I reckon Clune would move across the ground faster than Sezer and has just as good passing, kicking & defensive game. Be interesting if he tore the Magpies a new one in Cup tonight.

Sezer was garbage in his previous NRL stints. He hasn't improved, just got older

 

[Tigerbenb]

Oh yes, I bought flights earlier this year, to see the tigers play the raiders in Canberra.

Sit in the cold watch the tigers get spanked.

Don’t be like me .

 

[851]

I care
- I care that he was bought at all…
He’s puss, no matter where he plays…

His effort is non existant, the only time I’ve seen him have a go was when he swore at Lomax after getting sent

I was against re-signing Kepoa and Toa, I said at the time it was a stupid decision, I was very much in the minority

 

[vlad]

Sezer was garbage in his previous NRL stints. He hasn't improved, just got older

Sezer played in the 2019 grand final for the raiders . Can’t have been that bad

 

[liltiger]

Did you see Api in the sheds. He was disgusted.

Sheens in his post match comments said Api finished at pivot so that tells you how we were going. Reckon we might find Api at half next week.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Sheens in his post match comments said Api finished at pivot so that tells you how we were going. Reckon we might find Api at half next week.

Well let’s not forget that API and Wakeham were the Fiji halves in the WC so maybe a reunion.
Think I would have preferred Douehi and Moses - the Cedars connection, but not to be !

 

[liltiger]

Well let’s not forget that API and Wakeham were the Fiji halves in the WC so maybe a reunion.
Think I would have preferred Douehi and Moses - the Cedars connection, but not to be !

Really feel for Api atm but reckon he would do a job for us if Sheens asked, he seems like a lead from the front type of captain. Why Sheens waited to get him back on the pitch till 15 min left in the second half iv no idea.

 

[Demps]

I was thinking the same. Or does he despise the club like so many other ex-players? Did the club sack him when he was charged with DV?

Yeah, he was charged...
I'd say there was no choice.

But then he said his name was cleared?

I see a bit of Fox to his game and he's carving up NSW cup.

 

[Demps]

I was against re-signing Kepoa and Toa, I said at the time it was a stupid decision, I was very much in the minority

Good signings...

For NSW cup. 😆

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Here is a bit of a summary of our top 30 numbers based on what we know as fact & which identified juniors are likely to progress. In my opinion, our aggressive recruitment drive is for 5-6 external players of which 2 need to be halves, reasoning below ...

Current Squad: 29

Departing end of season: Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau (2)

Incoming juniors into top 30 for 2024: Josh Feledy, Brandon Mansfield, Lachlan Galvin (3)

Off-contract 2023: Brandon Wakeham, Lomi Saukuru, Charlie Staines, Tuki Simpkins, Alex Seyfarth, Daine Laurie (6)

Summary: That leaves us with 24 contracted players for 2024.

Opinion #1: We will re-sign Charlie Staines & Alex Seyfarth.

Opinion #2: We will also progress Tallyn Da Silva & Chris Fa'agutu into top 30 for 2024.

Update: That gives us 28 contracted players & the room to sign 2 players.

Opinion #3: Our priority external signings are 2 halves - a directional experienced halfback and a running/ball-playing 5/8.

Update: That will take us to our maximum 30 players.

Opinion #4: We are significantly depleted in experienced outside backs who are good defensively, decent IQ levels and provide energy & effort.

Opinion #5: We allow the following contracted players to explore other opportunities telling them they will get a greater opportunity at First Grade elsewhere - Asu Kepaoa, David Nofoaluma & Jake Simpkin. (Note: Depending on the negotiations with the Fainu brothers, if they decide on Redcliffe, I'd be allowing Sione Fainu to depart as well)

Update: That takes our squad to 26-27 and the ability to recruit 3-4 external players.

Opinion #6: We will progress 4 juniors into top 30 for 2025 - Kit Laulilii, Luke Laulilii, Jordan Miller & Solo Saukuru. (Note: I think the highly touted Onitoni Large will be development in '25 to top 30 in '26.)

Update: We have 10 players off-contract 2024 - Adam Doeuihi, Brandon Tumeth, Triston Reilly, Rua Ngatikaura, Shawn Blore, Starford T'oa, Junior Tupou, Alex Twal, Api Korisau (mutual option) & Stef Utoikamanu (mutual option).

Opinion #7: We have probably identified Doueihi, Reilly & Ngatikaura to be released to allow our juniors to progress into top 30 in '25. Will likely need to offload maybe a 1-season external recruit from the year before to create enough space.

FINAL COMMENT: This is a perfect world analysis and does not factor in injuries, players asking for a release and other WT juniors progressing faster than anticipated. So in my opinion, we will look to recruit 5-6 players for next season which includes 2 halves and at least 1 other player on just a 12-month contract. I can understand why we are now in an aggressive & vigorous recruitment period now because future years will be focused on retention & progressing our juniors into the squad.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Here is a bit of a summary of our top 30 numbers based on what we know as fact & which identified juniors are likely to progress. In my opinion, our aggressive recruitment drive is for 5-6 external players of which 2 need to be halves, reasoning below ...

Current Squad: 29

Departing end of season: Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau (2)

Incoming juniors into top 30 for 2024: Josh Feledy, Brandon Mansfield, Lachlan Galvin (3)

Off-contract 2023: Brandon Wakeham, Lomi Saukuru, Charlie Staines, Tuki Simpkins, Alex Seyfarth, Daine Laurie (6)

Summary: That leaves us with 24 contracted players for 2024.

Opinion #1: We will re-sign Charlie Staines & Alex Seyfarth.

Opinion #2: We will also progress Tallyn Da Silva & Chris Fa'agutu into top 30 for 2024.

Update: That gives us 28 contracted players & the room to sign 2 players.

Opinion #3: Our priority external signings are 2 halves - a directional experienced halfback and a running/ball-playing 5/8.

Update: That will take us to our maximum 30 players.

Opinion #4: We are significantly depleted in experienced outside backs who are good defensively, decent IQ levels and provide energy & effort.

Opinion #5: We allow the following contracted players to explore other opportunities telling them they will get a greater opportunity at First Grade elsewhere - Asu Kepaoa, David Nofoaluma & Jake Simpkin. (Note: Depending on the negotiations with the Fainu brothers, if they decide on Redcliffe, I'd be allowing Sione Fainu to depart as well)

Update: That takes our squad to 26-27 and the ability to recruit 3-4 external players.

Opinion #6: We will progress 4 juniors into top 30 for 2025 - Kit Laulilii, Luke Laulilii, Jordan Miller & Solo Saukuru. (Note: I think the highly touted Onitoni Large will be development in '25 to top 30 in '26.)

Update: We have 10 players off-contract 2024 - Adam Doeuihi, Brandon Tumeth, Triston Reilly, Rua Ngatikaura, Shawn Blore, Starford T'oa, Junior Tupou, Alex Twal, Api Korisau (mutual option) & Stef Utoikamanu (mutual option).

Opinion #7: We have probably identified Doueihi, Reilly & Ngatikaura to be released to allow our juniors to progress into top 30 in '25. Will likely need to offload maybe a 1-season external recruit from the year before to create enough space.

FINAL COMMENT: This is a perfect world analysis and does not factor in injuries, players asking for a release and other WT juniors progressing faster than anticipated. So in my opinion, we will look to recruit 5-6 players for next season which includes 2 halves and at least 1 other player on just a 12-month contract. I can understand why we are now in an aggressive & vigorous recruitment period now because future years will be focused on retention & progressing our juniors into the squad.

Faagutu is among our very best juniors, if not the best. He shone in the U19s game - incisive runs, quick play the balls, backing up and excellent defensive technique. When NSW made that break it was Faagutu who came from behind to knock the ball out of the hands of the attacker. I think he will be a great 13.

 

[Sataris]

The 200 passes in pre-season were actually all during the last tackle inside the 20 and resulted in a knock-on

 

[Jolls]

Tigers need to recruit an entire backline outside of fullback. Tupou has promise but he’s hit a wall and needs a spell. Kepoa, Toa, Naden, Nofa, Talau are all too inconsistent. Our halves are not first grade standard either. Teams just go wide as there is no point battling our forward pack when we have weak links out wide.

While I agree is some aspects I think we are being a bit harsh on our outside backs. Bula can look good because he isn't as reliant on the others to make decisions and execute based on what the inside man does.

As maligned as Brooks is he really sets the backline defence. Since he has been out our ability to defend against basic plays has gone. This says a lot about our halves as the decisions they make regularly leave our wingers dealing with a 1:2 or 1:3 decision to make. That can be dealt with if you have good cover (which we don't) and why Bula's efforts at the back in defence are so crucial.

Throwing Api out there to fix the halves problem is futile. His defence in the halves is just as bad as he isn't conditioned to being there. Could he adapt? Sure, in time.

Get Brooks back and he will address one edge. Naden in for TT will also stiffen our defence. Until we recruit a decent 6/7 combination we will continue to struggle. It will take some work to get confidence into our backline after the last few weeks.